Shanghai: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions

Shanghai is easier from above. This flexible double-decker tour links more than 20 major sights across three routes, giving you a quick feel for a huge city without wrestling with the map at every turn. I like the three-route design and the multilingual audio, especially when you have only a day or the weather turns wet. The main drawback is that buses run only about every 30 minutes, and some stops can involve a long wait.

A 24-hour ticket costs about $12 per person, while longer options may include 48 hours and extra attractions. I would treat this as a city orientation tool rather than a full guided tour: it gets you to the right areas, but you still need to plan your stops carefully.

Key points before you board

• Three routes cover different sides of Shanghai: The red route handles the central sights, the blue route crosses into Pudong, and the green route focuses on temples, museums, and western commercial streets.
• The top deck gives you the best view: Shanghai’s towers can hide street-level sights, so sitting upstairs helps you see the city clearly.
• Audio comes in eight languages: Choose from English, Mandarin, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, and Korean.
• Redeem your voucher at one of three kiosks: Use People’s Square, The Bund, or Oriental Pearl Tower before relying on the ticket.
• Optional attractions can change the value: Depending on your selection, you may receive entry to Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower, the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, or a one-hour Huangpu River cruise.
• The 48-hour option gives you breathing room: It is the better choice if you want all three routes plus attraction visits without racing the clock.

What this Shanghai bus tour is really good for

Shanghai is spread wide, and its major sights do not sit in one neat historic center. The hop-on hop-off bus solves that problem in a simple way. You can use it as moving sightseeing, then get off when a museum, temple, shopping street, or viewpoint catches your eye.

I especially like it for a first day in the city. You get a broad look at People’s Square, the Bund, Pudong’s towers, Jing’an Temple, and the old lanes around Yuyuan Garden. That overview helps you decide where to return for a slower visit.

The tour is also useful in rain. Several people found it a practical way to see Shanghai when the weather was poor and time was short. The covered lower deck offers shelter, while the upper deck gives you better views when conditions are comfortable.

This is not the fastest transport in Shanghai. The routes are sightseeing loops, not direct point-to-point transfers. Traffic, long stops, and the roughly 30-minute departures can slow you down. If you want to visit many attractions inside one day, you need to watch the clock.

Start at People’s Square and get your ticket sorted

You can board at any stop, but there is an important catch: your GetYourGuide voucher must first be exchanged at a sales kiosk. The three redemption points are People’s Square, The Bund, and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

People’s Square is usually the most practical starting point because it connects naturally with the red and green routes. The listed location is near the junction of Nanjing Road and Xizang Road. Take a moment to confirm the exact stop, since the map can place you a little away from the bus point, causing avoidable confusion.

The other redemption locations are opposite the Peace Hotel at The Bund and outside entrance gate number 2 at Oriental Pearl Tower. If you want one of the optional attraction tickets, redeem the voucher first at one of these three locations. Do not assume the bus driver can issue every ticket on the spot.

It is also wise to identify the operator before boarding. The service may not be labeled with the name you expect, so ask staff which bus matches your booking. Once checked in, you receive a route map and headphones for the audio commentary.

Red Route: Shanghai’s central sights in one loop

The red route is the most useful introduction to Shanghai. Buses run about every 30 minutes from 9 AM to 5 PM, and the loop links the city’s best-known central sights.

At People’s Square, you are near a large civic and cultural district. The stop is handy for the Shanghai Museum, People’s Park, and Shanghai Art Museum. It is also a useful place to begin if you want to combine sightseeing with a museum visit.

The route continues to People’s Park and the Shanghai Art Museum, then heads along Nanjing Road. Nanjing Road is one of Shanghai’s major shopping corridors, and the bus gives you a quick look before you decide how much time you want on foot.

The big arrival is The Bund, where historic waterfront buildings face Pudong’s modern towers across the Huangpu River. This is one of the finest places to get off. Walk along the riverfront, study the contrast between old stone facades and giant glass towers, and allow extra time for photographs.

The red route also connects with the Huangpu River cruise at Pier 16. Depending on your package, a one-hour cruise may be included. Check the exact option you booked, since the boat is not automatically part of every ticket. A river trip changes the view completely: the Bund and Pudong skyline become the subjects instead of the backdrop.

Next comes Yuyuan Garden, one of the route’s most worthwhile stops. The garden itself is a focused visit, while the surrounding area can take longer if you want to browse. Do not squeeze it into a few minutes simply because the bus timetable looks tight.

The final listed stop is Xin Tian Di, a popular restaurant and nightlife district with restored low-rise streets. It is a useful contrast to the skyscrapers and broad avenues elsewhere on the route. For a one-day visit, I would prioritize The Bund and Yuyuan Garden, then add Xin Tian Di if time allows.

Blue Route: Pudong towers and the riverfront

The blue route shifts the focus across the river to Pudong. Buses depart roughly every 30 minutes from 9 AM to 5:30 PM, giving it a slightly longer operating window than the red route.

It begins at The Bund, then goes to Oriental Pearl Tower, one of Shanghai’s most recognizable structures. The stop is convenient if you want to combine the bus with a tower visit, but confirm which attraction ticket is included in your package. Not every ticket option includes every observation deck.

The bus then serves the Shanghai World Financial Center and Jin Mao Tower area. This is the place to compare Shanghai’s major skyscrapers at close range. The optional Jin Mao Tower 88/F Observation Deck ticket can add real value if you want a high view without arranging a separate visit.

Some packages instead include the Shanghai Tower ticket, so read the selected option carefully before booking. These are separate attraction choices, not interchangeable benefits you should assume will all be included.

The route also visits Cool Docks, a waterfront area with a different feel from the formal Bund promenade. Finally, it returns to the river cruise point at Pier 16. The blue loop is less about old Shanghai and more about the city’s modern scale.

Sit upstairs if you can. Shanghai has so many tall buildings that the lower deck can leave you staring at walls, signs, and traffic. The upper level gives you a clearer view, though the open-air section can be hot in summer or uncomfortable in rain.

Green Route: museums, temples, and Nanjing West Road

The green route is the shortest-feeling and most specialized of the three. It runs about every 30 minutes from 9:15 AM to 4:45 PM.

The route starts around Nanjing Road and New World City, then reaches the Shanghai Museum. This is a strong pairing for anyone who wants more than skyline photographs. Allow enough time for the museum if it is a priority, since getting off for only a brief look defeats the purpose.

The bus continues along Huaihai Road, another major shopping street, before reaching Jing’an Temple on Nanjing West Road. The temple is one of the city’s most recognizable religious landmarks and offers a welcome change from department stores and towers.

The next stop is near the Portman Ritz-Carlton Hotel, also on Nanjing West Road. This stop is mainly useful for the surrounding commercial district and for connecting with the route. The green line then returns through the Shanghai Art Museum, People’s Square, and People’s Park.

This route can be valuable if you have two days. On a single day, it is harder to fit in unless you keep your visits short. One practical strategy is to ride the full green loop first, then choose either the museum or Jing’an Temple for a proper stop.

Optional attractions and the real value of each package

At $12 per person for the basic day experience, the bus is inexpensive for a first look at Shanghai. The value improves if you use several routes and make at least a few stops. It is poor value if you simply ride one short loop and spend most of the day waiting.

The attraction packages need closer attention. Depending on your booking choice, extras can include:

• Jin Mao Tower 88/F Observation Deck
• Shanghai Tower
• One-way Bund Sightseeing Tunnel ticket
• One-hour Huangpu River cruise

The observation decks are the strongest add-on for many people. Shanghai is best understood from a high floor, and the city’s size becomes clear when you look across Pudong and toward the Bund. The Jin Mao Tower option is particularly easy to pair with the blue route.

The river cruise is another useful extra because it gives you a different angle on the skyline. A one-hour boat ride fits naturally into a full sightseeing day, but check whether it is included or costs extra under your selected package.

The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel is more of a novelty than a must-see attraction. One past booking included a one-way ticket along with the tower and cruise, while another person felt the extra payment was not worthwhile. I would choose it only if you enjoy unusual urban transport or want a quick crossing beneath the river.

Attraction tickets are for single entry on a specific day. Plan the order before you start, especially if you choose the 24-hour ticket.

Audio commentary, buses, and comfort

The audio guide is available in English, Mandarin, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, and Korean. Headphones are provided, and the route map helps you follow the stops.

The commentary is useful for orientation, but do not expect perfect timing every minute. At times, the recording can lag behind the bus, and parts of the English version may be out of date. Treat it as background context rather than a precise guided narration.

Bus comfort appears to vary. One bus may have very strong air-conditioning, while another can feel warm, particularly upstairs. Shanghai’s weather can be humid, so carry water even though food and drinks are not included.

The upper deck is the place to sit for views, but it is also the most exposed part of the bus. If the sun is strong, rain starts, or the air-conditioning is uneven, the lower level may be the sensible choice.

The buses are not always full, which is good news. The less pleasant side is the waiting. Some stops involve five minutes or more standing still, and the gaps between buses can feel long when you are trying to connect routes.

How to fit three routes into 24 or 48 hours

A 24-hour ticket is enough for a broad overview, but it is not generous if you want museums, temples, observation decks, and a cruise. You can ride all three routes if you move quickly, but you will have little room for delays.

For one day, I would use this plan:

• Start on the red route and get off at The Bund.
• Continue to Yuyuan Garden or take the river cruise, depending on your package.
• Use the blue route for Pudong and an observation deck.
• Finish with a short ride on the green route if the timetable permits.

The 48-hour ticket is the better buy for a relaxed visit. Use the first day for the red and blue routes, including The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Pudong, and any included attraction. Use the second day for the green route, the Shanghai Museum, Jing’an Temple, and anything you skipped.

Remember that validity begins with first activation and lasts for the selected 24 or 48 hours. It is not simply a calendar-day ticket. If you board late in the afternoon, you may lose much of the first operating day.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors, people with limited time, and anyone who wants an easy overview before choosing where to spend longer. It also suits you if rain, heat, or unfamiliar transport makes a standard walking plan less appealing.

Families and older visitors may appreciate the chance to cover large distances with fewer navigation decisions. The multilingual audio is helpful for independent sightseeing, though the narration will not replace a live guide.

I would hesitate if you already know Shanghai well or if you need fast transport between specific addresses. The metro and taxis may be more efficient for point-to-point travel. I would also avoid building a rigid schedule around every connection, since departures and traffic can create delays.

Cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Shanghai plans are still moving around.

FAQ

How long is the Shanghai hop-on hop-off ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours from the time you first activate it, depending on the option selected.

How often do the buses run?

The red route runs about every 30 minutes from 9 AM to 5 PM. The blue route runs about every 30 minutes from 9 AM to 5:30 PM. The green route runs about every 30 minutes from 9:15 AM to 4:45 PM.

Where do I redeem my voucher?

You must redeem the voucher at a sales kiosk at People’s Square, The Bund, or Oriental Pearl Tower. You can then use the bus at the route stops.

Can I board at any stop?

Yes. You can board at any stop on the routes, but you must redeem the voucher at one of the three sales kiosks first.

Which languages are available for the audio guide?

The audio commentary is available in Spanish, English, Chinese, French, German, Russian, Japanese, and Korean.

Are the extra attractions included with every ticket?

No. Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower, the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, and the Huangpu River cruise depend on the package you select.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Should you book it?

Book this bus tour if you want a low-cost first look at Shanghai and value flexibility more than speed. The strongest reasons are the three routes, the upper-deck views, the eight-language audio, and the chance to add a tower or river cruise.

Choose 48 hours if you want to visit attractions without racing between connections. Choose 24 hours if your aim is simply to see the main districts and decide where to return. I would skip the package only if you already have a detailed transport plan or dislike waiting between sightseeing buses. For most first visits, the ticket is a practical way to get your bearings fast, provided you redeem it early and keep your schedule loose.